Diversity Secrets

#017 For our first episode of Season 3, “How to Succeed at DE&I”, we are thrilled to welcome Sarah Cordivano, Head of DE&I Strategy and Governance at Zalando, a fashion e-commerce headquartered in Berlin.

Sarah published her first book in August 2022 “DEI: How to Succeed at an Impossible Job”, a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to impactful DE&I work. Whether you are a practiced professional in the space, or new to the field, this book is a must-have resource. Akin to the book itself, this episode feels like a friendly chat with one of Europe’s most competent DE&I experts. Sarah lays out for our listeners the 5 building blocks for setting up your DE&I work for success:

1. Finding the right executive sponsor to bring your DEI work forward
2. Creating a strategy with the right people in the room
3. Getting DEI ranked highly among other business objectives
4. Measuring the success of DEI work
5. Avoiding burnout and emotional fatigue in DEI work

Tune in today, and make sure to subscribe in order to not miss our next episode!

You can purchase Sarah’s book here:
Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B7QDV6CX/
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B7QDV6CX/
NL: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0B7QDV6CX/
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7QDV6CX/
Follow Sarah on LinkedIn (@Sarah Cordivano) and Twitter (@mapadelphia) or visit her website: https://www.sarahcordivano.com/ 

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the all in one digital platform for assessing, managing and promoting DE&I in your organization. Mixity is offering our listeners an exclusive 2 months free trial for their all-in-one platform. Assess your DE&I footprint, define clear metrics and KPIs, and benefit from customized recommendations and hands-on support from their team of dedicated experts, all in one place.

Start your free trial here with the code ‘DiversityPodcast’ : Mixity.co

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
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#016 Welcome back to the Diversity Secrets Podcast !

We’re excited to be back with a brand new season called “How to Succeed at DEI” - a blueprint for real impact and effective results.
In the past 2 years we’ve seen a wave of corporate and CEO statements reaffirming their DE&I values and commitments. Billions of dollars are spent on DE&I trainings, programs and initiatives around the world. Now we want to see real results.
Join us for this series of interviews as our guests share with us their unique experiences and best practices for building diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. They’ll tell us what initiatives prove most effective, for real lasting impact and results. A hands-on, practical toolkit to help YOU set your DE&I work up for success!
We’ve gathered an exciting line-up of DE&I leaders from businesses of all lines and sizes, such as Bain&Company, HelloFresh, Publicis, SAP, Zalando, and more.

In oder to get results, you need to use the right DE&I assessment and management tool. That’s why we’re extremely proud to be partnering with Mixity.co, the all in one digital platform for assessing, managing and promoting DE&I in your organization. Mixity is offering our listeners an exclusive 2 months free trial for their all-in-one platform. Assess your DE&I footprint, define clear metrics and KPIs, and benefit from customized recommendations and hands-on support from their team of dedicated experts, all in one place.

Redeem your free trial here with the code ‘DiversityPodcast’ : Mixity.co

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
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#015 Diversity Secrets podcast is back for a bonus episode with Kate Bourdet who leads Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Orange Business Services, part of the French Telecom company Orange Group.

In this up-front conversation, Kate shares with us what the notion of Belonging means to her, and we discuss what implications it holds for a company in order to make sure that employees can bring their true authentic selves to work, and belong there.
Kate raises an important point: a truly transformative and impactful DEI policy implies disruptive and uncomfortable change in a company. And with discomfort often comes backlash. To respond to backlash, there’s nothing better than presenting the facts, because, as Kate puts it: numbers don’t lie! That’s why Orange Group partnered with Mixity.co to establish an equal-opportunities footprint and measure their levels of diversity and inclusion around gender, sexual orientation, disability, multicultural and multigenerational dimensions. Mixity established a 360-degree view of D&I at Orange and Kate tells us how this assessment took place, what stuck out, and how this benchmark serves as a stepping stone for a fact-based DEI action plan at Orange group.
Finally, as a former communications and marketing manager herself, Kate tells us how her professional background contributes to her DEI mission, especially when it comes to getting all managers on board with DEI at Orange.

Do not hesitate to connect with Kate Bourdet on LinkedIn (@Kate Bourdet) or Twitter (@KateBo) to continue following her journey as a DEI leader and her work at Orange Business Services.

Thanks for tuning in. Do send us feedback: it helps us grow!
Don’t forget to subscribe to not miss out on Season 3!

This episode was powered by Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
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#014 And it’s a wrap for season 2 of Diversity Secrets Podcast! We’ll be back with a brand new season after the Summer. In this episode, we go over what we’ve learned this season, and give you a sneak preview of what to expect from season 3.

In season 2 we had one overarching question: Why should companies even care about DEI? In other words, what’s the business case for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace? In fact, prominent studies demonstrate that ‘diversity and inclusion are good for business’, it’s the ‘smart [and right] thing to do’. However, despite those claims and despite the recent social demands for companies to take action for DEI, the corporate world is only sluggishly moving toward more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. So we had to ask our guests if the business case is not a myth. And here’s the 3 key learnings we gathered :

1. The business case isn’t as straight forward as we’ve been lead to believe
2. A strong business case won’t convince everyone in the company
3. A business case doesn’t necessarily set you up for success

Our guests made it clear: DEI matters for companies that want to stay competitive and relevant in this day and age. But if Diversity & Inclusion really matters, if it really is a strategic priority, why aren’t we seeing results? And that’s exactly what we’ll tackle in season 3: how to get results, and fast! How to translate corporate commitment into efficient action.

Thanks for tuning in this season and do send us feedback: it helps us grow!
Don’t forget to subscribe to not miss out on Season 3!

This season, was powered by Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
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#013 For our last episode of this season about the Business Case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), we are thrilled to welcome Brimbelle Grandcolas, Head of DEI at Disneyland Paris.

Be sure to get your pen and paper out as Brimbelle shares with us concrete tips and examples on how to deliver on a DEI strategy that makes sense both for business and for our society. Brimbelle openly shares her advice because she believes that DEI is not a competitive sport, but rather a team effort. She is convinced that the best way forward is through businesses collaborating and supporting each other in building a more inclusive world all together. At Diversity Secrets, we couldn’t agree more!

Brimbelle explains how DEI ties in to the day-to-day business at Disneyland Paris. Whether it’s building the most inclusive experience or the most representative products, the motto at Disneyland is that magic is for everyone! And for that to happen, Brimbelle stresses the importance of allyship and intersectionality in conducting the DEI strategy, as well as the necessary balance between bottom-up and top-down initiatives, as well as short-term and long-term projects.

Finally, as someone with experience in the non-profit sector and at the United Nations, Brimbelle shares with us her conviction: public and private sectors must work hand in hand for us to see truly impactful DEI!

Do not hesitate to connect with Brimbelle Grandcolas on LinkedIn (@Brimbelle Grandcolas) to continue following her journey as a DEI leader. To learn more about Disneyland’s DEI strategy and initiatives, be sure to visit their website: https://disneyconnect.com/dpep/inclusion/

Tune in today, and subscribe to not miss our next episode next week!

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
Your feedback helps us grow: add a review wherever you’re listening to this podcast!
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#012 In today’s episode, we are honored to welcome Alvine Trémoulet, Global DEI Leader at Pfizer.

In this enriching conversation, Alvine tells us about her own inclusion journey as an employee for over a decade of the American pharmaceutical corporation, and shares her experience as a DEI leader for the past 5 years.
Alvine makes a point of granting the upmost importance to individual journeys when it comes to DEI. This means distinguishing between the concepts of equality and equity, and incorporating the notion of intersectionality in DEI initiatives and programs. We discussed the importance of using careful language, and demonstrating nuance and tolerance when trying to convince people of the importance of DEI. Finally, Alvine explains how DEI is both a business strategy that matters for the bottom-line of the company, as well as an opportunity for corporate activism and social impact. In what is called today the Great Resignation, DEI is especially a tool for attracting and retaining talent, through an inclusive company culture. All in all, Alvine leaves us with some concepts to reflect on, as well as some inspiring examples to take away.
Tune in today, and subscribe to not miss our next episode next week!

Do not hesitate to connect with Alvine Trémoulet on LinkedIn (@Alvine (ASSENE EKOUMOU) TREMOULET) to continue following her journey as a DEI leader. To learn more about Pfizer’s DEI strategy and initiatives, be sure to visit their website: https://www.pfizer.com/about/responsibility/diversity-and-inclusion

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
Your feedback helps us grow: add a review wherever you’re listening to this podcast!
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#011 In today’s episode, get ready for a fresh perspective on the Business Case for DEI, as we welcome Amelia Huix, Advisor for Gender Equality at the United Nations Global Compact.

In 2015, the United Nations announced a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by our societies at large by 2030. Gender Equality for all women across the globe is one of them. This means achieving diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and businesses. The UN Global Compact gathers business organizations committed to the SDGs.
 We explore with Amelia how the SDGs are a tool to foster commitment, accountability and transparency for gender equality and DEI in the business field. We discuss how the SDGs participate in building a new social justice case for DEI that goes beyond the business case. We talk about the role that companies and business leaders are expected to play today as social agents of the XXIst century. Are the SDGs the change in paradigme that we need in order to see real and sustainable DEI in all aspects of our economies and societies? Can they gather the buy-in that the business case doesn’t manage to get?

Do not hesitate to follow Amelia Huix on LinkedIn (@Amelia Huix) to continue following her journey as a DEI leader. You can visit her website (http://amelialopezhuix.com/) to learn more about her work as an advisor for achieving the SDG Target Gender Equality, and finally, you can check out the UN Global Compact for more information on how your organization can become a member (https://www.unglobalcompact.org/)

Tune in today, and subscribe to not miss our next episode next week!

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
Your feedback helps us grow: add a review wherever you’re listening to this podcast!
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#010 This episode, we continue to uncover why DEI is important to business, including in the B2B sector, with Luisa Boaretto, Regional I&D and Employee Experience at Dow, an American material science global company.

Luisa starts by explaining the business case for DEI at Dow. And it’s a strong one. Dow’s business and relevance relies on bringing ever more innovative solutions. From that standpoint, diversity, equity and inclusion are essential for employees to thrive, reach their full potential, and bring about the innovation Dow needs. And so, today, inclusion is actually part of Dow’s mission statement. In fact, Luisa tells us that DEI is treated with the same regard as any other business strategy in the company: and results are showing. This impeccable business case has allowed Dow to develop a strong DEI strategy impacting both the workplace, the value chain, and the communities in which they work.

However, Luisa reminds us that human minds both have a rational and irrational side. In that sense, a strong business case may appeal to the rational mind, but a strong purpose and moral case are also key to building the right arguments for DEI in the workplace. This is all the more true as businesses are now expected to perform on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria, of which DEI KPIs and metrics form a part of.

Tune in today, and subscribe to not miss our next episode next week!

Do not hesitate to follow Luisa Boaretto on Twitter (@luisa_boaretto) to continue following her journey as a DEI leader. To learn more about Dow’s DEI strategy, and initiatives, you can visit their website, and be sure to check out their 2021 ESG Report, as well as their corporate Twitter account(@DowNewsroom). You can also follow Dow’s Chief Inclusion Officer, @KarenS_Carter, Dow's CEO @JimFitterling and @H_Ungerleider Dow’s CFO, who regularly post about these issues.

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
Your feedback helps us grow: add a review wherever you’re listening to this podcast!
Find us on LinkedIn

#009 For our second episode of our “Why it Really Matters” season, we are extremely pleased to be joined Eric Howard Way, Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity & CSR at Schindler Group, a Swiss multinational company that manufactures escalators, moving walkways, and elevators worldwide.

Eric started his career as an engineer in the heavy truck manufacture industry. A long way from D&I, we could say. However, being an engineer himself helped Eric make a compelling case for D&I that other engineers could understand. Eric explains the importance of adapting ones language, and arguments when building the case for DEI, depending on the public being addressed. Problem solving and logical thinking exercises were key to demonstrating to his peers the efficiency and innovation gains that come out of more diverse and inclusive teams. Eric shares with us how to build the right rationale and the necessary sense of urgency for D&I in the traditionally male-ridden manufacturing and engineering world, that you can also apply to your organization.

Finally, Eric reminds us that DEI is a competitive sport for companies who want to stay relevant in our day and age. Building a business case for it just around the numbers and potential performance gains is not enough: an emphasis on equity, social justice, as well as empathy are key elements to gathering support and momentum for DEI in your organization.

Tune in today, and subscribe to not miss our next episode next week!

Do not hesitate to follow Eric Howard Way on LinkedIn (@Eric Way) to continue following his journey as a DEI leader. To learn more about Schindler’s DEI strategy, please visit their website.

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age. Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
Your feedback helps us grow: add a review wherever you’re listening to this podcast!
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#008 For our first episode of Season 2 “Why it Really Matters”, we are thrilled to welcome a very exciting guest: Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey, PhD, founder and Managing Director of Element of Inclusion. In his mission to make companies more diverse and inclusive, Dr. Jonathan applies academic theory to business practice.

This episode, he keeps us on our toes as he helps us understand what exactly we mean by ‘business case’ when talking about DEI. He tells us that mainstream studies that have made this so-called business case popular may have mislead us: the correlation between diversity and economic performance isn’t as simple as it seems. And so we discuss how to build the right business case for your organization, as well as the missing keys to make DEI deliver on their economic promise. Finally, Dr. Jonathan reminds us that this business case is underpinned by the Friedman Doctrine, that states that the primary responsibility of an organisation is to its shareholders and that the primary goal of an organisation is to maximize returns to the shareholders. We question this doctrine and ask ourselves whether it is still relevant today, especially given the rise of interest in social justice for which companies are being held accountable for. Will the social justice case replace the business case?

Tune in today, and subscribe to not miss our next episode next week!

This season, we’re partnering with Mixity.co, the first digital HR solution for assessing, managing and promoting D&I in businesses of all lines and sizes. Mixity gives you a 360-degree view of your D&I footprint on 5 dimensions: gender equality, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, cultural and social origins, and age.
Be sure to check out their website for more information: https://www.mixity.co/

Resources cited in this episode:

• Read Getting Serious about Diversity: Enough Already with the Business Case”, by R.J.Eli and D.A.Thomas on the Harvard Business Review.
• Listen to Dr.Jonathan’s analysis of the article on his podcast
• Listen to his podcast on the social justice case. business case for DEI.
• Visit Dr. Jonathan’s website for more resources and information about his work: https://elementofinclusion.com/
• You can follow Dr. Jonathan on LinkedIn (@Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey)and Twitter (@JALamptey).

Curious to learn more about Diversity Secrets Agency Training & Consulting services? Get in touch: [email protected]
Your feedback helps us grow: add a review wherever you’re listening to this podcast!
Find us on LinkedIn